Mercosur – beef exports rise in 2019

Beef exports from the Mercosur block of countries in South America (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay) rose by 14% last year to 2.65m tonnes. This double-digit export growth was driven by Brazil and Argentina, which shipped huge volumes of beef into China last year.

China – pork imports will soar further in 2020

Rabobank is forecasting that Chinese import demand for pork will soar even higher in 2020. The Dutch lender expects Chinese pork imports in 2020 to increase by 30% to 40% on 2019 levels. In 2019, China imported 2.1m tonnes of pork, which was up 75% year on year.

EU – wheat production forecast lowered

French grain agency Strategie Grains has lowered its forecast for wheat production in the EU for 2020 to just under 140m tonnes. The agency has also slightly reduced its forecast for EU barley production in 2020 to just over 62m tonnes.

US – grain markets rally on hopes of China deal

US grain markets in Chicago rallied this week on hopes that the US and China will agree phase one of a new trade deal between the two countries. US ag commodities such as grain and pork have been a target of Chinese sanctions since President Trump initiated his trade war with Beijing.